Ship



April s, 1930.

SHIP

Filed Feb. 6, 1928 J. H. CUMMINS 2 Sheets-Sheet l www2/* J. H. CUMMINS April 1930.

SHIP

Filed Feb. 6, 1928l 2' sheets-sheet 2 SWW/nto@ J Uhn H ummns Patented Apr. a, 193e UNITEDA STA-TESV! PATENT oFFicE YOIE" DALLAS, TEXAS SHIP Application led February 6, 1928.

vide an improved ship hull construction emi bodying an emergency rudder so located as to permitof a relatively short turn being made by the ship when operated in conjunctionwith the usual rudder located at the stern ofthe ship.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved hull construction for ships embodying an `arrangement whereby auXiliary propellers and an emergency rudder may be disposed substantially amidship of the hull in alignment longitudinally of the hull with the aft propellers and rudder.

A fstill further object of the invention is to provide an improved ship hull construction which may be embodied'in ships now in use thru a remodeling of a portion of the hull, and one wherein auxiliary propellers and an emergency rudderdisposed substantially amidship will have a like action upon the water as that of the usual aft propellers and rudder.

Other objects` andadvantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying draw ings forming a part of this specification and in which drawings:

`Figure 1 is a side elevation of the ship provided with the improved hull construction.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of a hull constructed as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section on line 8&3 of Figure 1. y.; Figureftis a side elevation of a shi-p hull Serial No. 252,213.

constructed `in accordance `with this in ven-` tion and showing an arrangement for relievinglstrain between the fore and `aft hull sections; the view also being one illustrating an arrangement whereby existing types of ship 55,

hulls may be remodeled to embody the features of this invention.

Figure 5 is a bottom'plan view of the hull as illustrated in Figure a.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line 6&6 of Figure 4s In the drawings, `like reference charactersdeSignate corresponding parts thruout the several views. 1

`Referring rst to thetype of ship construction `as illustrated in .Figures\1, 2 and 3, the letter A may` designate as a whole the improved ltype of ship, embodying a hull or body Vportion B constructed in accordance with this invention.

The hull or body B, beneath the water line l()` is formed amidship with a transverse way or undercut 11 forming fore and aft hull sections 12 and 13 respectively provided with longitudinallyy aligning keels 14 andl. The forward hull `section 12 is provided with a wedgelike fore part or entrance 16, and at its rear or stern end is formed with a transversely; arcuated stern portion 17 forming a forward. wall defining the transverse way 11. gn Thus it will be seen that the fore hull section 12 `forming the forward Aportion of the hull B ,conforms tov an ordinary boat hull formation having a wedge like bow and an arcuated stern portion.

The ,afthull section 13, and whichis connected `with the fore hull section by` a bridge portion 18, is of a lil-re thickness orbeam as that .of the fore hull section. The bowor forward end of the hull section 13 is formed with a wedge lilre portionor entrance 19, and a transversely arcuated stern portion 20. Thus it will be seen that Ieach of the hull sections 12 and 13 embodiesan entrance and a counter, with the counter 17 and the entrance 191,01? the hull `sections 12 and 13 respectively forming the fore and aft bounds of the transverse way or undercut 11,n As will be observed, the cutwaters 21 and 22of the hull sections are arranged `in alignmentA longitudinally of the hull B so that each of the, entrances 16 and 19 will act to spread the water in a like manner to opposite sides of the ship duringtravel.

The overhang 23 has its under surface arranged at an elevation above the under surface of the bridge portion 18 and it will be observed that the bridge portion 18 acts as an Y overhang for the counter 17.

Mounted beneath the overhang 23 at the counter 20 is a stern rudder 25 which may be operated in any desired manner,^a`nd'this rnd-- der will act for steering the ship thru normal running conditions. Extending from the counter 20 at opposite sides of the rudder 25 are propellers 26 which may be driven by suitable mechanism arranged within the hull section 13. These twin stern propellers 26 as will be observed are located at opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the hull B, while the rudder 25 is arranged at the longitudinal center of the ship in alignment midway between the counter 17 and'cutwater 22. Extending rearwardly thru the counter j 17 at opposite sides of the keel 14 are suitable propeller shafts for mounting of a pair of auxiliary propellers 30 within the transverse way 11. By observing Figure 2 it will be seen that these auxiliary propellers 30 will act upon the water in substantially a like manner as that of the stern propellers 26 and that the water directed rearwardly by the propellers 30 will strike the wedge likeA surfaces of the entrance 19 whichwill not form any appreciable obstruction for the water being directed rearwardly by the propellers 30. It will further bey observed in Figure 2 that the transverse way 11 is bounded by formations corresponding to the fore and aft formations of the hull B so as to permit the auxiliary propellers 30 to properly operate and permit the emergency rudder 28 to function for steering the ship with or without theV aid -of the stern rudder 25. Thus it will be seen' that should the stern rudder 25 be broken or otherwise rendered inoperative, the emergency `rudder28 arranged amidship, may be operated forrsteering the ship. The propelf,

1ers 30 may be driven by suitablel machinery arranged in the fore hull section 12.

Referring now to Figures 4, 5 and 6, and

wherein an arrangement has been shown wherebyV the hull will be strengthened by means of suitable bracingfor preventing vibration and reducing strain on any lsections of the hull, the ship A has been shown as embodying a hull or body portion B provided in its underside with a transverse way or undercut 11 forming fore and aft hull sections 12 and 13 respectively. Extending thruout the length of the hull or body B, and spanning the transverse way or undercut 11 is a keel girder 35 forming a tie between the hull sections 12 and 13 along their keel por tions.

The hull sections 12 and 13 are of like external formation as that of the ship construction illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3,

'and are formed respectively with entrances 16 and 19 and counters 17 and 20. Extending Afrom the sides of the counter 17 to the entrance 19 are starboard and port side longitudinal girders 36 which act to further brace the fore and aft hull sections. These longitudinal girders 36 may extend thruout the length of the hull B as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 4.

Traversing the hull at the way 11 is a suitable number of cross and vertical ribs or girders 38 which arev connected at their medial horizontal portions to the keel girder 35 and have their vertical portions secured to the longitudinal girders 36 so that the girders 35, 36 and 38 form an open net work structure connecting the hull sections beneath the bridge portion. 18. Thus it will be seen that the girders 35, 36 and 38 will act to reduce strain on the bridge portion 18.

Arranged beneath the overhang 23 is a stern rudder 25, and arranged at each side of the rudder is a screw propeller 26. Arranged within the transverseV way or undercut 11 is an emergency rudder 28, the lower end of the rudder shaft of which may be mounted in the keel girder 35 if so desired. Arranged also within the way 11 are the auxiliary screw propellers 30 which are mounted in the counter 17 ofthe forward hull section 12. Thus `it will be seen that thestrengthening girders 35, 36 and 38 form aV protecting net work about the rudder 28 and propellers 30', and by reason of the open net like structure of the girders, the rudder and propellers are permitted to properly operate.

In the remodeling of ships already built,

be seen that boats of existing construction l may be altered to embody'the features of this improved type of hull construct-ion without involving a considerable expense.

Thus it will be seen that by so'constructing the hull with fore and aft sections of like external contour separated by a transverse way disposed substantially amidship, that the hull is designed as a wave straddler such as will minimize the pitch and roll oi' the ship `when traveling rough seas, and that by so utilizing the transverse way to accomodate an emergency rudder and auxiliary propellers, that increased speed Will be obtainable. By so having the under surface of the bridge portion connecting the hull sections disposed. below the waterline, which prevent likelihood of the emergency rudder and auxiliary propellers leaving the water when the ship is traveling at a relatively fast rate oiI speed.

From the 'foregoing description it will be apparent that novel and improved construction for ships has been disclosed having a hull structure so shaped as to decrease the pitch and roll of the ship when traveling rough seas, and which specific hull construe tion provides means tor the disposing an emergency rudder and auxiliary propellers at a point substantially amidship so that increased speed is obtainable. It will furl ther be apparent that a novel hull construc-l tion has been provided embodying fore and aft hull sections of like general formation and thus allowing for proper and eiiicient operation of the rudder and propellers Which are located amidship.

Changes in detail may be made to the forms of invention herein shown and described, Without departing from the spirit of the ine vention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim: Y

l. In a ship construction a hull embodying spaced fore and aft hull sections connected in longitudinal alignment by a bridge portion and providing a transverse undercut eX- tending between the hull sections beneath the bridge portion, said hull sections being of like external outlines and each having an entrance and a counter, propellers mounted in i the counter of each hull section one to each side of the longitudinal center of the hull, and a rudder mounted rearwardly of each lcounter at the longitudinal center line of the iull.

2. In a ship construction a hull having a transverse undercut forming spaced fore and aft hull sections connected in longitudinal alignment by a bridge portion, said hull sections being of like external outline below the bridge portion, said undercut being of a tion, a rudder mounted at the stern of each hull section and an open frame Work structure spanning the undercut about the propellers and rudder arranged therein and serving to brace the hull sections.

4. In a ship the combination of a hull having a transverse undercut forming spaced fore and aft hull sections of like external outline, a keel girder connecting the hull sections and spanning the undercut, longitudinal girders connecting the hull sections at each side of the keel girder, spaced apart ribs connecting the keel girder and longitudinal girders and conforming to the cross sectional outline of the hull sections, a stern rudder for the ship, an emergency rudder arranged inV the undercut between the hull sections, and propellers arranged at the stern of each of the hull sections.

5. In a ship the combination of a hull pro- 

